Islamabad: Adviser to Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah said that authority of superior courts taking suo motu notices has worsened matters in country, as he lamented delay in trials of May 9 accused.

Sanaullah said that “Judicial system of country and Constitution of Pakistan were responsible” for failure to serve justice.

“It was just simple procedure, which should have been adopted, that people [linked to May 9 protests] should have undergone summary trial and conviction within 30-90 days,” he said while speaking in private TV channel.

He referred to former government and Army’s decision to try May 9 accused in military courts and failure in holding military trials owing to stay and challenging petitions that kept matter from achieving finality.

“This suo motu has scupper country’s boat,” he said. Responding to question regarding Islamabad High Court judges’ claims about being pressurised by “Agencies”, he said that lawyer associations and bars also put pressure.

Sanaullah said that three more years would pass “If judicial commission is formed to probe May 9 events”. He called for reforms in justice system.

Sanaullah termed investigation report on May 9 tragedy as ‘unsatisfactory’. Speaking to journalists at Parliament House, he said that like many other reports, May 9 tragedy report is just document that he said ‘failed’ to identify culprits and hold them accountable.

Rana Sanaullah said that there is no need for further investigation or dialogue on matter. “It (May 9 riots) was criminal act that requires criminal trial,” he added.

He said that after investigation those responsible should be punished while those who are innocent would be released. .

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 10 2024

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